J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Panasonic and Sony Model...

J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Panasonic and Sony
Model Series Rank Highest in Their Respective Segments in Digital Camera Owner
Satisfaction
Weather Proofing and Built-In Memory Features are Most Desired by Owners for
Future Cameras

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., July 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The Canon EOS Digital
SLR, Canon PowerShot G, Fujifilm Finepix S, Lumix (Panasonic) DMC-TZ, Nikon D
and Sony Cyber-shot T series rank highest in customer satisfaction with
digital cameras in their respective segments, according to the J.D. Power and
Associates 2008 Digital Camera Usage and Satisfaction Study(SM) released
today.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050527/LAF028LOGO-a)
The study examines camera model lines in four body-style segments: point
and shoot, premium point and shoot, ultra slim and digital single-lens reflex
(DSLR). In each segment, four factors are measured to determine customer
satisfaction: picture quality, performance, ease of operation, and appearance
and styling.
The Fujifilm Finepix S series ranks highest in the point and shoot segment
with an index score of 757 on a 1,000-point scale, performing particularly
well in picture quality, performance and ease of operation. Kodak model series
also perform well in the segment and follow the Fujifilm Finepix S in the
rankings with the Kodak V series (739), Kodak Z series (731) and Kodak M
Series (727).
Among premium point and shoot cameras, the Canon PowerShot G series and
the Lumix (Panasonic) DMC-TZ series tie to rank highest, each receiving a
score of 773. The Canon PowerShot, in particular, performs well in the picture
quality and ease of operation factors. The Lumix (Panasonic) DMC-FZ series
follows in the segment with a score of 766, receiving high ratings from
customers in the performance factor.
In the ultra slim segment, the Sony Cyber-shot T series leads with 794,
performing particularly well in all four factors driving customer
satisfaction.
The Casio Exilim Zoom series (766) ranks second and the Fujifilm FinePix Z
series closely follows to rank third with 761.
The Canon EOS Digital SLR and Nikon D series both rank highest in a tie
among DSLR cameras, each receiving a score of 823. The Canon EOS Digital SLR
receives notably high ratings from customers in picture quality, while the
Nikon D series-which ranks highest for a second consecutive year-performs
particularly well in ease of operation, performance, and appearance and
styling.
The study finds that among features that owners want in their next camera,
weatherproofing is mentioned most frequently by owners in both the point and
shoot (67%), and premium point and shoot (68%) segments, while ultra slim
owners desire 4 GB internal memory capacity and DSLR owners desire
waterproofing (63%).
"Digital camera manufacturers are constantly adding new features in
efforts to differentiate themselves from their competitors," said Larry Wu,
senior director of the technology practice at J.D. Power and Associates.
"However, in adding new features, ease of use becomes critical in maintaining
satisfaction, as average satisfaction scores are 235 points lower among
customers who say their features were difficult to use, compared with those
customers who say the features were easy to use. Designing features with the
consumer in mind and providing clear and concise instructions can help
maintain high satisfaction levels with new features and functions."
The study also finds the following key trends:
-- The resources that camera owners used most frequently during the
shopping process to research digital cameras are consistent across all
segments, with Internet product and review sites being the most frequently
cited resource. Information or recommendations from family and friends, print
reviews and in-store salespeople follow as other frequently used resources.
-- DSLR owners take the most photos in one month, averaging 454 images,
followed by premium point and shoot owners (159), ultra slim owners (96), and
point and shoot owners (83).
-- Customers who purchased an extended warranty report significantly
higher overall satisfaction scores (768, on average) with their cameras,
compared with owners who did not purchase a warranty (732, on average). In
2008, 23 percent of DSLR, 17 percent of premium point and shoot, 16 percent of
ultra slim and 13 percent of point and shoot owners purchased an extended
warranty for their digital camera.
The 2008 Digital Camera Usage and Satisfaction Study is based on responses
from more than 8,000 consumers who purchased a digital camera between April
2007 and March 2008. The study was fielded in June and July 2008.
For more information on digital camera ratings, please click here:
http://www.jdpower.com/electronics/ratings/digital-camera-ratings

Customer Satisfaction Index Ranking:
(Based on a 1,000-point scale)

Point and Shoot Segment

ModelSeries Overall Satisfaction Score Power Circle Rating
Fujifilm Finepix S Series 757 5
Kodak V Series 739 4
Kodak Z Series 731 4
Kodak M Series 727 4
HP Photosmart R series 726 4
Olympus Stylus Series 723 4
Sony Cyber-shot S Series 720 4
Samsung S Series 719 4
Nikon Coolpix Life (L) Series 714 3
Point and Shoot Segment Average 711 3
Lumix (Panasonic) DMC-LZ Series 710 3
Kodak C Series 708 3
Polaroid I Series 705 3
Fujifilm Finepix A Series 704 3
Olympus FE Series 704 3
HP Photosmart M Series 700 3
Canon PowerShot A Series 691 2

Note: The Point and Shoot segment consists of traditional fixed lens
cameras with a depth greater than one inch and an average sale price of less
than $230.
Included in the study but not ranked due to small sample size are: HP
Photosmart E Series, HP Photosmart R Series, Nikon Coolpix Life (L) Series,
Polaroid I Series and Samsung L Series.

Premium Point and Shoot Segment

Model Series Overall Satisfaction Score Power Circle Rating
Canon PowerShot G Series 773 5
Lumix (Panasonic) DMC-TZ Series 773 5
Lumix (Panasonic) DMC-FZ Series 766 4
Canon PowerShot S Series 758 3
Sony Cyber-shot H Series 757 3
Premium Point and Shoot Segment
Average 755 3
Canon Digital Elph (SD) Series 754 3
FuljiFilm S Series 749 3
Kodak Z Series 743 2
Canon PowerShot A Series 741 2
Olympus SP Series 741 2
Canon PowerShot SX Series 738 2
Nikon Coolpix Performance (P)
Series 733 2

Note: The Premium Point and Shoot segment consists of traditional fixed
lens cameras with a depth greater than one inch and an average sale price of
$230 or greater.
Included in the study but not ranked due to small sample size are: Casio
Exilim Zoom Series, Fujifilm FinePix F Series, General Electric A Series,
General Electric E Series, Lumix (Panasonic) DMC-LS Series, Nikon Coolpix
Performance (P) Series and Polaroid T Series.

Ultra Slim Segment

Model Series Overall Satisfaction Score Power Circle Rating
Sony Cyber-shot T Series 794 5
Casio Exilim Zoom Series 766 4
Fujifilm FinePix Z Series 761 4
Sony Cyber-shot W Series 756 4
Olympus FE Series 752 3
Olympus Stylus Series 749 3
Lumix (Panasonic) DMC-FX Series 748 3
Ultra Slim Segment Average 745 3
Casio Exilim Card Series 744 3
Kodak M Series 744 3
Kodak V Series 743 3
Canon Digital Elph (SD) Series 742 3
Sony Cyber-shot S Series 739 3
Nikon Coolpix Performance (P)
Series 729 3
Fujifilm FinePix F Series 710 2
Pentax Optio W Series 699 2

Note: The Ultra Slim segment consists of traditional fixed lens cameras
with a depth of one inch or less.
Included in the study but not ranked due to small sample size are: Sony
Cyber-shot W Series, HP Photosmart R Series and Lumix (Panasonic) DMC-FX
Series.

Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) Segment

Model Series Overall Satisfaction Score Power Circle Rating
Canon EOS Digital SLR 823 5
Nikon D Series 823 5
DSLR Segment Average 820 3
Olympus E-System Series 803 2
Pentax K DSLR Series 799 2
Sony a (Alpha) DSLR Series 798 2

Note: The Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) segment consists of cameras
with interchangeable lenses with sophisticated features and controls.
About J.D. Power and Associates
Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a
global marketing information services company operating in key business
sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement,
training and customer satisfaction. The company's quality and satisfaction
measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For
more information on car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance,
cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and
Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.
About The McGraw-Hill Companies
Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a leading global
information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial
services, education and business information markets through leading brands
such as Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power
and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries.
Sales in 2007 were $6.8 billion. Additional information is available at
http://www.mcgraw-hill.com.
J.D. Power and Associates Media Relations Contacts:
John Tews Syvetril Perryman
Troy, Mich. Westlake Village, Calif.
(248) 312-4119 (805) 418-8103
john.tews@jdpa.com syvetril.perryman@jdpa.com

No advertising or other promotional use can be made of the information in
this release without the express prior written consent of J.D. Power and
Associates. http://www.jdpower.com/corporate
SOURCE J.D. Power and Associates

John Tews, Troy, Mich., +1-248-312-4119, john.tews@jdpa.com, or Syvetril
Perryman, Westlake Village, Calif., +1-805-418-8103,
syvetril.perryman@jdpa.com, both of J.D. Power and Associates